Topical Bible: Despising

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, "despising" refers to the act of regarding someone or something with contempt, disdain, or a lack of respect. This attitude is often condemned in Scripture, as it reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's values and commands. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the consequences and spiritual implications of despising others or God's commandments.

Old Testament References

1. Despising God's Commandments: In the Old Testament, despising God's commandments is equated with rebellion against Him. In 1 Samuel 15:23, the prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul, saying, "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and defiance is as wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king." Here, despising God's word leads to severe consequences, illustrating the seriousness of such an attitude.

2. Despising the Poor and Needy: Proverbs 14:21 states, "He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor." This verse highlights the moral obligation to treat others with respect and compassion, particularly those who are vulnerable or in need. Despising the poor is seen as a sin, contrasting with the blessedness of showing kindness.

3. Despising Wisdom and Instruction: Proverbs 1:7 declares, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This passage underscores the folly of rejecting wisdom and instruction, which are rooted in the fear of the Lord. Despising such guidance leads to a life devoid of true understanding and righteousness.

New Testament References

1. Despising Others: In the New Testament, Jesus teaches against despising others, particularly those who are humble or considered insignificant. In Matthew 18:10, He warns, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven." This teaching emphasizes the value and dignity of every individual in the eyes of God.

2. Despising Authority: The apostle Peter addresses the issue of despising authority in 2 Peter 2:10, where he describes false teachers as "bold and self-willed, they are not afraid to slander glorious beings." This attitude of contempt towards authority, both divine and earthly, is portrayed as a characteristic of those who are unrighteous and rebellious.

3. Despising the Church: In 1 Corinthians 11:22, Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for their behavior during the Lord's Supper, saying, "What! Do you not have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?" Here, despising the church is linked to actions that undermine the unity and sanctity of the Christian community.

Theological Implications

Despising, as depicted in the Bible, is not merely an external action but a reflection of the heart's condition. It reveals a lack of reverence for God, His commandments, and His creation. The biblical narrative consistently calls believers to cultivate a heart of humility, respect, and love, aligning their attitudes with the character of Christ. Despising others or God's instructions is contrary to the life of holiness and obedience that Scripture advocates.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Despise.

Greek

5051. teleiotes -- a completer, finisher
... our eyes on Jesus, the 747 and (5051 ) of the (operation of) (4102 ), who in place
of (473 ) joy set before Him, endured a cross (4716 ), despising the shame ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5051.htm - 7k

2706. kataphroneo -- to think little of
... Word Origin from kata and phroneo Definition to think little of NASB Word Usage
despise (5), despising (1), disrespectful (1), look down (1), think lightly (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2706.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

3988a. maas -- to reject
... Usage abhorred (1), cast them away (1), cast away (1), cast off (2), completely
rejected (1), despise (6), despised (4), despises (2), despising (1), disdained ...
/hebrew/3988a.htm - 5k

Library

Of the Despising of the World
... TRANSLATED BY RICHARD MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE
OF HAMPOLE: AND NOW DONE INTO MODERN ENGLISH CHAPTER II OF THE DESPISING OF THE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter ii of the despising.htm

If Some One, Despising the Deities, and Furious with a Savagely ...
... Book V. 8 If some one, despising the deities, and furious with a savagely
sacrilegious spirit? If some one, despising the deities ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/8 if some one despising.htm

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
... EXPOSITIONS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE; ALEXANDER MACLAREN, DD, Litt. D.; ST. MATTHEW
Chaps. XVIII to XXVIII TWO WAYS OF DESPISING GOD'S FEAST. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two ways of despising gods.htm

The First Chapter: Imitating Christ and Despising all Vanities on ...
... BOOK ONE. THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL The First Chapter: Imitating
Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth. HE WHO ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the first chapter imitating christ.htm

If any Presbyter or Deacon, Despising this Own Bishop...
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Canon
V. If any presbyter or deacon, despising this own bishop? ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon v if any presbyter.htm

A Dialogue with God
... The pollution of the table of the Lord is the overt act by which the attitude of
mind and heart expressed in despising His Name is manifested; but the overt ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dialogue with god.htm

I am Told, to Take Another Point, that one of his Followers ...
... We are not like some, who, despising all humility, are eager to buy the episcopate
with gold; nor do we wish, with the minds of rebels, to suppress the Pontiff ...
/.../32 i am told to.htm

Confusion.
... if he tells me that the old prophets, and holy, and just, and heroic men in all
ages, never cared for people's laughing at them and despising them, provided ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon vii confusion.htm

As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange ...
... ever wrote a line against you; and, secondly, when their actual letters cry out
against you, and break down your audacious effrontery, despising the judgment ...
/.../23 as regards our reverend.htm

Matt. xxiii. 14
... they did again and were doing everything for the corruption of those who were subject
to them, in little things requiring strictness, and despising the great. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiii matt xxiii 14.htm

Thesaurus

Despising (25 Occurrences)
...Despising (25 Occurrences). ... 1 Thessalonians 4:8 he, therefore, who is despising --
doth not despise man, but God, who also did give His Holy Spirit to us. (YLT). ...
/d/despising.htm - 14k

Despises (16 Occurrences)
... sharpened. So as to have brightness it is polished, Desire hath rejoiced the
sceptre of my son, It is despising every tree. (See NIV). ...
/d/despises.htm - 11k

Scepter (28 Occurrences)
... sharpened. So as to have brightness it is polished, Desire hath rejoiced the
sceptre of my son, It is despising every tree. (See NIV). ...
/s/scepter.htm - 18k

Despiseth (23 Occurrences)

/d/despiseth.htm - 13k

Disgrace (73 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:3 and they say unto him, 'Thus said Hezekiah -- A day of distress, and
rebuke, and despising 'is' this day; for come have sons unto the birth, and ...
/d/disgrace.htm - 27k

Contempt (55 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of contemning or despising; the feeling with which one regards
that which is esteemed mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn. ...
/c/contempt.htm - 23k

Fearing (107 Occurrences)
... kindness. (YLT). Proverbs 13:13 Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed
for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed. (YLT). ...
/f/fearing.htm - 35k

Novice (1 Occurrence)
... and fall into the condemnation of the devil." This means that a recent convert runs
the very serious risk of being wise in his own eyes, of despising those who ...
/n/novice.htm - 8k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:10 and chiefly those going behind the flesh in desire of uncleanness,
and lordship despising; presumptuous, self-complacent, dignities they are not ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Finisher (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is ...
/f/finisher.htm - 8k

Resources

How can I overcome peer pressure? | GotQuestions.org

What is antithetical parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.org

What are some encouraging Bible verses? | GotQuestions.org

Despising: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Despising (25 Occurrences)

Matthew 18:10
"Beware of ever despising one of these little ones, for I tell you that in Heaven their angels have continual access to my Father who is in Heaven.
(WEY)

Luke 18:9
And he spake also unto certain who have been trusting in themselves that they were righteous, and have been despising the rest, this simile:
(YLT)

1 Thessalonians 4:8
he, therefore, who is despising -- doth not despise man, but God, who also did give His Holy Spirit to us.
(YLT)

Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Hebrews 12:5
and ye have forgotten the exhortation that doth speak fully with you as with sons, 'My son, be not despising chastening of the Lord, nor be faint, being reproved by Him,
(YLT)

2 Peter 2:10
and chiefly those going behind the flesh in desire of uncleanness, and lordship despising; presumptuous, self-complacent, dignities they are not afraid to speak evil of,
(YLT)

Numbers 14:23
they see not the land which I have sworn to their fathers, yea, none of those despising Me see it;
(YLT)

1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore -- the affirmation of Jehovah, God of Israel -- I certainly said, Thy house and the house of thy father, do walk up and down before Me to the age; and now -- the affirmation of Jehovah -- Far be it from Me! for he who is honouring Me, I honour, and those despising Me, are lightly esteemed.
(YLT)

2 Kings 19:3
and they say unto him, 'Thus said Hezekiah -- A day of distress, and rebuke, and despising 'is' this day; for come have sons unto the birth, and power there is not to bring forth.
(YLT)

2 Chronicles 36:16
and they are mocking at the messengers of God, and despising His words, and acting deceitfully with His prophets, till the going up of the fury of Jehovah against His people -- till there is no healing.
(YLT RSV)

Proverbs 11:12
Whoso is despising his neighbour lacketh heart, And a man of understanding keepeth silence.
(YLT)

Proverbs 13:13
Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed.
(YLT)

Proverbs 14:2
Whoso is walking in his uprightness is fearing Jehovah, And the perverted 'in' his ways is despising Him.
(YLT)

Proverbs 14:21
Whoso is despising his neighbour sinneth, Whoso is favouring the humble, O his happiness.
(YLT)

Proverbs 15:20
A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
(YLT)

Proverbs 15:32
Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
(YLT)

Proverbs 19:16
Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.
(YLT)

Isaiah 37:3
and they say unto him, 'Thus said Hezekiah, A day of distress, and rebuke, and despising, 'is' this day; for come have sons unto the birth, and power there is not to bear.
(YLT)

Isaiah 60:14
And come unto thee, bowing down, Have sons of those afflicting thee, And bowed themselves to the soles of thy feet Have all despising thee, And they have cried to thee: 'City of Jehovah, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.'
(YLT)

Jeremiah 23:17
Saying diligently to those despising The word of Jehovah: Peace is for you, And 'to' every one walking in the stubbornness of his heart they have said: Evil doth not come in unto you.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 16:57
Before thy wickedness is revealed, As 'at' the time of the reproach of the daughters of Aram, And of all her neighbours, the daughters of the Philistines, Who are despising thee round about.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 21:10
So as to slaughter a slaughter it is sharpened. So as to have brightness it is polished, Desire hath rejoiced the sceptre of my son, It is despising every tree.
(YLT NAS)

Ezekiel 21:13
Because 'it is' a trier, And what if even the sceptre it is despising? It shall not be, an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 28:24
And there is no more to the house of Israel A pricking brier, and paining thorn, Of all round about them -- despising them, And they have known that I 'am' the Lord Jehovah.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 28:26
And they have dwelt on it confidently, And builded houses, and planted vineyards, And dwelt confidently -- in My doing judgments, On all those despising them round about, And they have known that I, Jehovah, 'am' their God!'
(YLT)

Subtopics

Despising

Related Terms

Despising (25 Occurrences)

Despite (18 Occurrences)